Dishwashing appliance drop-in door hinge

ABSTRACT

A dishwashing appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber therein. A door is rotatably coupled to the tub by a hinge. The hinge includes a first bracket mounted on the door, a second bracket mounted to the tub, and a hinge pin extending between the first bracket and the second bracket. The second bracket includes an outer channel configured to receive the hinge pin during installation and removal of the door, a round socket configured to retain the hinge pin during rotation of the door between the open position and the closed position, and a transition channel adjoining the outer channel and the round socket. The outer channel defines a first width and the transition channel defines a second width. The first width is generally constant over the entire outer channel and the second width is generally constant over the entire transition channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to dishwashing appliances,and more particularly to dishwashing appliances with a drop-in doorhinge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwashing appliances generally include a tub that defines a washchamber. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash chamber of thetub for receipt of articles for washing. Multiple spray assemblies canbe positioned within the wash chamber for applying or directing washliquid (e.g., water, detergent, etc.) towards articles disposed withinthe rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. After being appliedor directed towards the rack assemblies and/or articles therein, thewash liquid generally flows by gravity to or towards a bottom of thewash chamber, such as to a sump positioned at the bottom of the washchamber. Dishwashing appliances are also typically equipped with one ormore pumps, such as a circulation pump or a drain pump, for directing ormotivating wash liquid from the sump to, e.g., the spray assemblies oran area outside of the dishwashing appliance.

Dishwashing appliances typically include a door rotatably mounted to thetub, such as with a hinge, for selectively sealingly enclosing the washchamber within the tub. The hinge may be coupled or decoupled, such ascoupled during installation or decoupled in order to access internalcomponents of the dishwashing appliance for service or maintenance, etc.Some hinges currently in use may be difficult to couple or decouple,such as requiring multiple, compound movements of the door relative tothe tub while the door is manually aligned in order to attach or detachthe door to the tub, and/or may be too easy to decouple, which may leadto accidental detachment of the door, such as during shipping, handling,or installation of the dishwashing appliance.

Accordingly, dishwashing appliances that include features for retainingthe door coupled to the tub during use while also providing easierinstallation and/or removal of the door during assembly or service wouldbe useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwashingappliance is provided. The dishwashing appliance defines a verticaldirection, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction that aremutually perpendicular. The dishwashing appliance includes a tubextending between a front side and a rear side along the transversedirection. The tub defines a wash chamber therein for receipt ofarticles for washing. The wash chamber within the tub is accessiblethrough an opening in the front side of the tub. The dishwashingappliance also includes a sump positioned at a bottom of the washchamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber and a fluidcirculation system coupled to the sump. The fluid circulation systemincludes a pump and at least one spray assembly located in the washchamber and configured to direct a spray of fluid into the wash chamber.The dishwashing appliance further includes a door rotatably coupled tothe tub by a hinge. The door is rotatable between an open position and aclosed position. The door permits access to the wash chamber in the openposition and the door sealingly encloses the wash chamber in the closedposition. The hinge includes a first bracket mounted on the door, asecond bracket mounted to the tub, and a hinge pin extending between thefirst bracket and the second bracket. The second bracket includes anouter channel configured to receive the hinge pin during installationand removal of the door, a round socket configured to retain the hingepin during rotation of the door between the open position and the closedposition, and a transition channel adjoining the outer channel and theround socket. The outer channel defines a first width and the transitionchannel defines a second width. The first width is generally constantover the entire outer channel and the second width is generally constantover the entire transition channel.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwashingappliance is provided. The dishwashing appliance includes a tubextending between a front side and a rear side. The tub defines a washchamber therein for receipt of articles for washing. The wash chamberwithin the tub is accessible through an opening in the front side of thetub. The dishwashing appliance also includes a sump positioned at abottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber anda fluid circulation system coupled to the sump. The fluid circulationsystem includes a pump and at least one spray assembly located in thewash chamber and configured to direct a spray of fluid into the washchamber. The dishwashing appliance further includes a door rotatablycoupled to the tub by a hinge. The door is rotatable between an openposition and a closed position. The door permits access to the washchamber in the open position and the door sealingly encloses the washchamber in the closed position. The hinge includes a first bracketmounted on the door, a second bracket mounted to the tub, and a hingepin extending between the first bracket and the second bracket. Thesecond bracket includes an outer channel configured to receive the hingepin during installation and removal of the door, a round socketconfigured to retain the hinge pin during rotation of the door betweenthe open position and the closed position, and a transition channeladjoining the outer channel and the round socket. The outer channeldefines a first width and the transition channel defines a second width.The first width is generally constant over the entire outer channel andthe second width is generally constant over the entire transitionchannel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwashingappliance of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of adishwashing appliance of the present disclosure with a door in anintermediate position.

FIG. 3 provides a side, cross section view of the exemplary dishwashingappliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 provides a similar view as FIG. 3 , with a door of the exemplarydishwashing appliance in an open position.

FIG. 5 provides a close-up view of a portion of a bracket of a hingeaccording to one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the hinge may be incorporated into a dishwashing appliancesuch as the exemplary dishwashing appliance of FIGS. 1-4 .

FIG. 6 provides a partial view of the hinge in an installation/removalposition.

FIG. 7 provides a partial view of the hinge in a transition position.

FIG. 8 provides a partial view of the hinge in a home, fully closedposition.

FIG. 9 provides a partial view of the hinge in a home, intermediateposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope of theinvention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive(i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms“first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably todistinguish one component from another and are not intended to signifylocation or importance of the individual components. The terms“upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction withrespect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For instance, “upstream”refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and“downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. Theterm “article” may refer to, but need not be limited to dishes, pots,pans, silverware, and other cooking utensils and items that can becleaned in a dishwashing appliance. The term “wash cycle” is intended torefer to one or more periods of time during which a dishwashingappliance operates while containing the articles to be washed and uses awash liquid (e.g., water, detergent, or wash additive). The term “rinsecycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during whichthe dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil, detergents,and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles aftercompletion of the wash cycle. The term “drain cycle” is intended torefer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashingappliance operates to discharge soiled water from the dishwashingappliance. The term “wash liquid” refers to a liquid used for washing orrinsing the articles that is typically made up of water and may includeadditives, such as detergent or other treatments (e.g., rinse aid).Furthermore, as used herein, terms of approximation, such as“generally,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer tobeing within a ten percent (10%) margin of error. When used in thecontext of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degreesgreater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generallyvertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in anydirection, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the verticaldirection V.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 4 depict an exemplarydishwasher or dishwashing appliance (e.g., dishwashing appliance 100)that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. Generally, dishwasher 100 defines a vertical direction V, alateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each of the verticaldirection V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T aremutually perpendicular to one another and form an orthogonal directionsystem.

Dishwasher 100 includes a tub 104 that defines a wash chamber 106therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , tub 104 extends between a top 107and a bottom 108 along the vertical direction V, between a pair of sidewalls 110 along the lateral direction L, and between a front side 111and a rear side 112 along the transverse direction T.

Tub 104 includes a front opening 114 at the front side 111. In someembodiments, the dishwashing appliance 100 may also include a door 116at the front opening 114. The door 116 may, for example, be coupled tothe tub 104 by a hinge 200 at its bottom for movement between a normallyclosed vertical position (FIGS. 1 and 3 ), wherein the wash chamber 106is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position(FIG. 4 ) for loading and unloading of articles from dishwasher 100. Adoor closure mechanism or assembly 118, e.g., a latch, may be providedto lock and unlock door 116 for accessing and sealing wash chamber 106.

In exemplary embodiments, tub side walls 110 accommodate a plurality ofrack assemblies. For instance, guide rails 120 may be mounted to sidewalls 110 for supporting a lower rack assembly 122 and an upper rackassembly 126. In some such embodiments, upper rack assembly 126 ispositioned at a top portion of wash chamber 106 above lower rackassembly 122 along the vertical direction V.

Generally, each rack assembly 122, 126 may be adapted for movementbetween an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack issubstantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retractedposition (shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 ) in which the rack is locatedinside the wash chamber 106. In some embodiments, movement isfacilitated, for instance, by rollers 128 mounted onto rack assemblies122, 126, respectively.

Although guide rails 120 and rollers 128 are illustrated herein asfacilitating movement of the respective rack assemblies 122, 126, itshould be appreciated that any suitable sliding mechanism or member maybe used according to alternative embodiments.

In optional embodiments, some or all of the rack assemblies 122, 126 arefabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of wires orelongated members 130 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongatedmembers making up rack assemblies 122, 126 are shown). In this regard,rack assemblies 122, 126 are generally configured for supportingarticles within wash chamber 106 while allowing a flow of wash liquid toreach and impinge on those articles (e.g., during a cleaning or rinsingcycle). According to additional or alternative embodiments, a silverwarebasket (not shown) may be removably attached to a rack assembly (e.g.,lower rack assembly 122), for placement of silverware, utensils, and thelike, that are otherwise too small to be accommodated by the rackassembly.

Generally, dishwasher 100 includes one or more spray assemblies forurging a flow of fluid (e.g., wash liquid) onto the articles placedwithin wash chamber 106.

In exemplary embodiments, dishwasher 100 includes a lower spray armassembly 134 disposed in a lower region 136 of wash chamber 106 andabove a sump 138 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to lowerrack assembly 122. In this regard, lower spray arm assembly 134 maygenerally be configured for urging a flow of wash liquid up throughlower rack assembly 122.

In some embodiments, an upper spray assembly 142 may be locatedproximate to and, e.g., below, upper rack assembly 126 along thevertical direction V. In this manner, upper spray assembly 142 may begenerally configured for urging of wash liquid up through upper rackassembly 126.

The various spray assemblies and manifolds described herein may be partof a fluid distribution system or fluid circulation assembly 150 forcirculating wash liquid in tub 104. In certain embodiments, fluidcirculation assembly 150 includes a circulation pump 152 for circulatingwash liquid in tub 104. Circulation pump 152 may be mounted to sump 138and in fluid communication with the sump 138 through a circulationoutlet 151 from the sump 138.

When assembled, circulation pump 152 may be in fluid communication withan external water supply line (not shown) and sump 138. A water inletvalve (not shown) can be positioned between the external water supplyline and circulation pump 152 (e.g., to selectively allow water to flowfrom the external water supply line to circulation pump 152).Additionally or alternatively, water inlet valve can be positionedbetween the external water supply line and sump 138 (e.g., toselectively allow water to flow from the external water supply line tosump 138). During use, water inlet valve may be selectively controlledto open to allow the flow of water into dishwasher 100 and may beselectively controlled to close and thereby cease the flow of water intodishwasher 100. Further, fluid circulation assembly 150 may include oneor more fluid conduits or circulation piping for directing wash fluidfrom circulation pump 152 to the various spray assemblies and manifolds.In exemplary embodiments, such as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , aprimary supply conduit 154 extends from circulation pump 152, along rearside 112 of tub 104 along the vertical direction V to supply wash liquidthroughout wash chamber 106.

In optional embodiments, circulation pump 152 urges or pumps wash liquidto a diverter 156 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In some such embodiments, diverter156 is positioned within sump 138 of dishwashing appliance 100).Diverter 156 may include a diverter disk (not shown) disposed within adiverter chamber 158 for selectively distributing the wash liquid to thespray assemblies 134, 142, or other spray manifolds or assemblies. Forinstance, the diverter disk may have at least one aperture configured toalign with one or more outlet ports (not shown) at the top of diverterchamber 158. In this manner, the diverter disk may be selectivelyrotated to provide wash liquid to the desired spray device(s).

In exemplary embodiments, diverter 156 is configured for selectivelydistributing the flow of wash liquid from circulation pump 152 tovarious fluid supply conduits—only some of which are illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 for clarity. In certain embodiments, diverter 156 includestwo or more outlet ports (not shown) for supplying wash liquid to afirst conduit for rotating lower spray arm assembly 134 and a secondconduit for supplying upper spray assembly 142 (e.g., supply conduit154). Additional embodiments may also include one or more additionalconduits, e.g., a third conduit for spraying an auxiliary rack such as asilverware rack, etc.

In some embodiments, a supply conduit 154 is used to supply wash liquidto one or more spray assemblies (e.g., to upper spray assembly 142). Itshould be appreciated, however, that according to alternativeembodiments, any other suitable plumbing configuration may be used tosupply wash liquid throughout the various spray manifolds and assembliesdescribed herein. For instance, according to another exemplaryembodiment, supply conduit 154 could be used to provide wash liquid tolower spray arm assembly 134 and a dedicated secondary supply conduit(not shown) could be utilized to provide wash liquid to upper sprayassembly 142. Other plumbing configurations may be used for providingwash liquid to the various spray devices and manifolds at any locationwithin dishwashing appliance 100.

Each spray assembly 134 and 142, or other spray device as may beincluded in dishwashing appliance 100, may include an arrangement ofdischarge ports or orifices for directing wash liquid received fromcirculation pump 152 onto dishes or other articles located in washchamber 106. The arrangement of the discharge ports, also referred to asjets, apertures, or orifices, may provide a rotational force by virtueof wash liquid flowing through the discharge ports. Alternatively, sprayassemblies 134, 142 may be motor-driven, or may operate using any othersuitable drive mechanism. Spray manifolds and assemblies may also bestationary. The resultant movement of the spray assemblies 134, 142 andthe spray from fixed manifolds provides coverage of dishes and otherdishwasher contents with a washing spray. Other configurations of sprayassemblies may be used as well. For instance, dishwasher 100 may haveadditional spray assemblies for cleaning silverware, for scouringcasserole dishes, for spraying pots and pans, for cleaning bottles, etc.

Drainage of soiled wash liquid within sump 138 may by provided, forinstance, by a drain pump 168 (e.g., during or as part of a draincycle). In particular, wash liquid may exit sump 138 through a drainoutlet 167 and may flow through a drain conduit or directly to the drainpump 168. Thus, drain pump 168 is downstream of sump 138 and facilitatesdrainage of the soiled wash liquid by urging or pumping the wash liquidto a drain line external to dishwasher 100.

In some embodiments, a filter assembly may be provided, e.g., in thesump 138 and/or at a top entrance into the sump 138, e.g., to filterfluid to circulation assembly 150 and/or drain pump 168. Generally, thefilter assembly removes soiled particles from the liquid that flows tothe sump 138 from the wash chamber 106 during operation of dishwashingappliance 100. In exemplary embodiments, the filter assembly may includeboth a first filter (also referred to as a “coarse filter”) and a secondfilter (also referred to as a “fine filter”).

Although a separate circulation pump 152 and drain pump 168 aredescribed herein, it is understood that other suitable pumpconfigurations (e.g., using only a single pump for both recirculationand draining) may be provided.

Dishwashing appliance 100 may also include ventilation features, e.g.,to promote improved, e.g., more rapid, drying of articles therein afterthe wash and rinse cycles. For example, one or more vents 170 may beprovided in the tub 104 for introducing relatively dry air from outsideof the tub 104 into the wash chamber 106 and/or for removing relativelyhumid air from the wash chamber 106 to the outside of the tub 104. Insome embodiments, a fan 172 may be provided. The fan 172 may be operableto urge air through the wash chamber 106, such as to promote aircirculation and/or ventilation within and through the wash chamber. Suchair movement may increase the rate of evaporation of moisture fromarticles in the wash chamber 106 after a wash and/or rinse cycle.

In certain embodiments, dishwasher 100 includes a controller 160configured to regulate operation of dishwasher 100 (e.g., initiate oneor more wash operations). Controller 160 may include one or more memorydevices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or specialpurpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with a wash operation that may include awash cycle, rinse cycle, or drain cycle. The memory may represent randomaccess memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. Insome embodiments, the processor executes programming instructions storedin memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor ormay be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller160 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using acombination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry—such asswitches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates,and the like—to perform control functionality instead of relying uponsoftware. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein arecapable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associatedmethod steps as disclosed herein.

Controller 160 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutdishwasher 100. In optional embodiments, controller 160 is locatedwithin a control panel area 162 of door 116 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 orFIG. 2 ). Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controlsystem and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along wiringharnesses that may be routed through the bottom of door 116. Typically,the controller 160 includes or is operatively coupled to a userinterface panel/controls 164 through which a user may select variousoperational features and modes and monitor progress of dishwasher 100.In some embodiments, user interface 164 includes a general purpose I/O(“GPIO”) device or functional block. In additional or alternativeembodiments, user interface 164 includes input components, such as oneor more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanicalinput devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. Infurther additional or alternative embodiments, user interface 164includes a display component, such as a digital or analog display devicedesigned to provide operational feedback to a user. When assembled, userinterface 164 may be in operative communication with the controller 160via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to anyparticular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher 100. Theexemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4 are for illustrativepurposes only. For instance, different locations may be provided foruser interface 164 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 , or otherlocations as well), different configurations may be provided for rackassemblies 122, 126, different spray assemblies 134, 142 and spraymanifold configurations may be used, different sensors may be used, andother differences may be applied while remaining within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 through 9 , the hinge 200 may include a firstbracket 202 mounted on the door 116 and a second bracket 204 mounted tothe tub 104. The hinge 200 may further include a hinge pin 206 thatextends between the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 204. As isunderstood, when the hinge 200 is assembled, e.g., in a “home”positioned as discussed below, the hinge pin 206 defines a pivot orfulcrum for the hinge 200 as the door 116 rotates between the open andclosed positions.

FIG. 5 provides a close-up view of a portion of the second bracket 204according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As maybe seen in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the second bracket 204comprises an outer channel 210 that extends from a mouth 212 in anexterior edge of the second bracket 204 to a transition channel 214. Insome embodiments, the outer channel 210 may be linear, e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 5 . In additional embodiments, the outer channel 210may also be fully or partially curved. The second bracket 204 may alsoinclude a round socket 222. The round socket 222 may be defined at andadjoined to an end of the transition channel 214 and may be opposite theouter channel 210 with respect to the transition channel 214. Thetransition channel 214 may be defined between a back edge 220, e.g., aninternal edge of the second bracket 204, and a retaining point 218 at afront boundary of the transition channel 214, e.g., the transitionchannel 214 may be bounded along the transverse direction T by theretaining point 218 and the back edge 220, where the back edge 220 maybe a vertical or generally vertical edge. The transition channel 214 mayadjoin the outer channel 210 at one end of the transition channel 214and may adjoin the round socket 222 at the other, opposite, end of thetransition channel 214. Further, in some embodiments, a radius orarcuate internal edge 228 of the second bracket 204 may be defined atthe junction between the outer channel 210 and the transition channel214, such as at the intersection of or adjoining between the back edge226 of the outer channel 210 and the back edge 220 of the transitionchannel 214. The retaining point 218 may be defined at a boundary of theround socket 222 and the transition channel 214, e.g., at the frontjunction between the transition channel 214 and the round socket 222.For example, in some embodiments, the retaining point 218 may be definedby a rounded corner at the boundary of the round socket 222 and thetransition channel 214. As will be described in more detail below, theouter channel 210 may be configured to receive the hinge pin 206 duringinstallation and removal of the door 116 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7 ),while the retaining point 218 and the round socket 222 may be configuredto retain the hinge pin 206 during rotation of the door 116 between theopen position and the closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9 ).

In some embodiments, the outer channel 210 may be linear, e.g., in suchembodiments the linear outer channel 210 defines a centerline 230 whichis a single, straight line. For example, in some embodiments, the outerchannel 210 may be defined between two straight line edges in the secondbracket 204, and the two straight line internal edges of the secondbracket 204 that define the outer channel 210 may be generally parallel,e.g., “generally” parallel including within ten degrees or less ofparallel, as noted above. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the two straightline internal edges of the second bracket 204 that define the outerchannel 210 may be a first edge 224 and a second edge 226. The firstedge 224 may be a front edge of the outer channel 210 and the secondedge 226 may be a back edge of the outer channel 210. Also as may beseen in FIG. 5 , the transition channel 214 may define a centerline 232between the back edge 220 of the transition channel 214 and a retentionpoint or retaining point 218. It should be understood that “front” and“back” are used in describing the various edges herein with same contextas the dishwasher 100 overall. For example, the front edge 224 of theouter channel 210 is closer to the front of the dishwasher appliance100, e.g., the front side 111 and/or door 116, than the back edge 226 ofthe outer channel 210. Similarly, the back edge 226 of the outer channel210 is closer to the back of the dishwasher 100, e.g., the rear side 112and/or the tub 104, than the front edge 224. For example, the secondbracket 204 may extend forward or frontward from the tub 104, such as toa front end 216, where the front end 216 is a frontmost terminal portionof the second bracket 204 along the transverse direction T. Thus, the“front” edges or other “front” portions of the various elementsdescribed herein may also be those edges or portions which are closestto the front end 216 of the second bracket 204.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , in some embodiments, the outer channel210 may be oblique to the vertical direction V. For example, the outerchannel 210, e.g., the centerline 230 thereof, may define an angle 208(FIG. 6 ) with respect to the vertical direction V. In embodiments wherethe outer channel 210 is linear, e.g., as illustrated, the angle 208 maybe constant over the entire length of the outer channel 210. Inembodiments where the outer channel 210 is at least partially curved,the angle 208 may be defined by a line that is tangent to the curvedcenterline of the curved outer channel 210 at the intersection of thecurved outer channel 210 and the transition channel 214. For example, invarious embodiments, the angle 208 may be between about ten degrees andabout forty degrees with the vertical direction V, such as between aboutfifteen degrees and about thirty degrees, such as about twenty degrees.Also as may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the transition channel 214, e.g.,the centerline 232 thereof, may extend generally along the verticaldirection V. Thus, the outer channel 210 may also be oriented at anoblique angle to the transition channel 214, e.g., the same angle 208 aswith respect to the vertical direction V.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8 , assembly of the hinge 200, andthereby installation of the door 116 to the tub 104, is generally shownin sequential order. The hinge pin 206 may be fixed to the first bracket202. As shown in FIG. 6 , the hinge pin 206 may enter the outer channel210, such as via the mouth 212 (FIG. 5 ) of the outer channel 210,whereby the hinge 200, and thus the door 116 and tub 104, forms theangle 208. That is, where the outer channel 210 is oriented at the angle208 relative to the vertical direction V, the first bracket 202 willalso be oriented at the angle 208 when the hinge pin 206 is within theouter channel 210, such that the first bracket 202 is oriented at theangle 208 with respect to the second bracket 204 and the door 116 isoriented at the angle 208 with respect to the tub 104. In particular,the hinge pin 206 may have an obround cross section shape or may, as inthe illustrated embodiments, have arcuate ends which are less thansemi-circular, and, in embodiments where the hinge pin has two linearsides interconnecting two opposite arcuate ends, the two linear sides ofthe hinge pin 206 may be generally aligned with and/or parallel to thelinear edges 224 and 226 of the outer channel 210, e.g., in embodimentswhere the outer channel 210 is at least partially linear, while thehinge pin 206 travels through the outer channel 210, whereby the firstbracket 202 is oriented at the angle 208 as described during suchportions of the installation or removal of the door 116.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the transition from an installation orremoval position to the home or installed position is made by travellingthe hinge pin 206, e.g., and the first bracket 202 to which the hingepin 206 is fixed, e.g., and the door 116 to which the first bracket 202is mounted, along the vertical direction V, such as directly or exactlyalong the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the transition maybe made at an angle of up to ten degrees from the vertical direction V,such as ten degrees counterclockwise from vertical as shown on the pagein FIGS. 7 and 8 , e.g., an intermediate position that is up to tendegrees away from the closed position. The term “intermediate position”is used to refer to any position between the closed position and theopen position, e.g., any position where the door 116 is not fully closednor fully open. The angle at which the hinge 200, and thereby door 116,may make the transition between home or installed and theinstallation/removal position may be defined by the retaining point 218and/or by the arcuate extent of the round socket 222. For example, asseen in FIG. 9 , when the door 116, and thus the first bracket 202 andthe hinge pin 206 thereon, rotates past the retaining point 218, e.g.,when the door 116 is in an intermediate position more than ten degreesaway from the closed position, the hinge 200 is held together by theretaining point 218, e.g., the hinge pin 206 is retained within thesecond bracket 204, such as within the round socket 222 thereof, by theretaining point 218. Thus, the transition described herein may bedefined by the hinge pin 206 passing, e.g., moving at least a portion ofthe hinge pin 206, above the retaining point 218.

In some embodiments, the door 116 may not be removable when in theclosed position, e.g., an edge at the top of the tub 104 may obstructtranslational movement of the door 116 directly along the verticaldirection V from the closed position, and/or the latch 118 may need tobe disengaged to permit the removal of the door 116. In suchembodiments, the door 116 may be removable, and the hinge 200 separable,beginning at one degree away from the closed position, such as when inany intermediate position between one degree and ten degrees away fromthe closed position.

In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , theouter channel 210 may define a first width 234 and the transitionchannel 214 may define a second width 236. As may be seen in FIGS. 8 and9 , in some embodiments, the first width 234 is generally constant overthe entire outer channel 210 and the second width 236 is generallyconstant over the entire transition channel 214, where “generally”constant includes variation or deviation of the width of up to tenpercent. In such embodiments, the length of the transition channel 214may be defined as the distance along the centerline 232 over which thesecond width 236 is generally constant, e.g., does not vary by more thanten percent, greater or less, from the median width of the transitionchannel 214 and/or the width of the transition channel 214 as definedbetween the retaining point 218 and the back edge 220 of the transitionchannel 214 along the transverse direction T. Further, in at least someembodiments, the first width 234 may be generally equal to the secondwidth 236. The widths 234 and 236 being generally equivalent mayadvantageously promote ease of installation or removal of the door 116,e.g., by eliminating hang up or snag points at transitions in widthwhere the hinge pin 206 might get stuck when travelling through andbetween the channels 210 and 214 during installation or removal. Forexample, in some embodiments, the outer channel 210 and the transitionchannel 214 may partially define a travel path for the hinge pin 206,such as an installation path and/or removal path, between the mouth 212and the round socket 222, such as beginning at the mouth 212 and endingat the round socket 222 (e.g., during installation, and in reverse orderfor removal). In such embodiments, the travel path may define a width,including widths 234 and 236, which is generally perpendicular to thedirection of travel of the hinge pin 206, and the width of the entiretravel path may be generally constant.

As mentioned above, the angle at which the hinge 200, and thereby door116, may make the transition between home or installed position and theinstallation/removal position may be defined at least in part by thearcuate extent of the round socket 222. For example, in someembodiments, the junction of the round socket 222 and the transitionchannel 214 may define an opening of about ten degrees in an upperportion of the round socket 222, e.g., the opening may subtend an angleof about ten degrees and the round socket 222 may be a partial circle(circular arc) which subtends an angle of about three hundred and fiftydegrees. In such embodiments, the angle subtended by the opening is themaximum angle, e.g., the farthest away from the closed position, atwhich the door 116 and hinge 200 may transition from the home positionto the installation/removal position. Thus, in one or more embodiments,the round socket 222 may define a circular arc of greater than onehundred eighty degrees, e.g., a circular arc that subtends an angle ofone hundred eighty degrees or more, such as 210° or more, such as 230°or more, such as 250° or more, such as 270° or more, such as 290° ormore, such as 310° or more, such as 320° or more, such as 330° or more,such as about 350°.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1. A dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateraldirection, and a transverse direction that are mutually perpendicular,the dishwasher appliance comprising: a tub extending between a frontside and a rear side along the transverse direction, the tub defining awash chamber therein for receipt of articles for washing, wherein thewash chamber within the tub is accessible through an opening in thefront side of the tub; a sump positioned at a bottom of the wash chamberfor receiving fluid from the wash chamber; a fluid circulation systemcoupled to the sump, the fluid circulation system comprising a pump andat least one spray assembly located in the wash chamber and configuredto direct a spray of fluid into the wash chamber; and a door rotatablycoupled to the tub by a hinge, the door rotatable between an openposition and a closed position, wherein the door permits access to thewash chamber in the open position and wherein the door sealinglyencloses the wash chamber in the closed position; wherein the hingecomprises a first bracket mounted on the door, a second bracket mountedto the tub, and a hinge pin extending between the first bracket and thesecond bracket, the second bracket comprising a mouth in an exterioredge of the second bracket, an outer channel configured to receive thehinge pin during installation and removal of the door, a round socketconfigured to retain the hinge pin during rotation of the door betweenthe open position and the closed position, and a transition channeladjoining the outer channel and the round socket, wherein the outerchannel defines a first width and the transition channel defines asecond width, wherein the first width is generally constant over theentire outer channel and the second width is generally constant over theentire transition channel, wherein the outer channel is oblique to thevertical direction and the transition channel extends generally alongthe vertical direction, wherein the outer channel and the transitionchannel define a travel path for the hinge pin between the mouth and theround socket for installation or removal of the door, the travel pathextending along a single vertical orientation between the mouth and theround socket.
 2. The dishwashing appliance of claim 1, wherein the firstwidth is generally equal to the second width.
 3. (canceled)
 4. Thedishwashing appliance of claim 1, wherein the outer channel is linearand defines an angle of between about ten degrees and about fortydegrees with the vertical direction.
 5. The dishwashing appliance ofclaim 1, wherein an opening of about ten degrees is defined in an upperportion of the round socket.
 6. The dishwashing appliance of claim 1,further comprising a retaining point defined at a boundary of the roundsocket and the transition channel.
 7. The dishwashing appliance of claim6, wherein the retaining point is defined by a rounded corner at theboundary of the round socket and the transition channel.
 8. Thedishwashing appliance of claim 6, wherein the second bracket comprises afront end, and the retaining point is defined at a front edge of theboundary of the round socket and the transition channel.
 9. Thedishwashing appliance of claim 6, wherein the transition channel isbounded along the transverse direction by the retaining point and avertical edge.
 10. The dishwashing appliance of claim 1, wherein theround socket defines a circular arc of greater than one hundred eightydegrees.
 11. A dishwashing appliance, comprising: a tub extendingbetween a front side and a rear side, the tub defining a wash chambertherein for receipt of articles for washing, wherein the wash chamberwithin the tub is accessible through an opening in the front side of thetub; a sump positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receivingfluid from the wash chamber; a fluid circulation system coupled to thesump, the fluid circulation system comprising a pump and at least onespray assembly located in the wash chamber and configured to direct aspray of fluid into the wash chamber; and a door rotatably coupled tothe tub by a hinge, the door rotatable between an open position and aclosed position, wherein the door permits access to the wash chamber inthe open position and wherein the door sealingly encloses the washchamber in the closed position; wherein the hinge comprises a firstbracket mounted on the door, a second bracket mounted to the tub, and ahinge pin extending between the first bracket and the second bracket,the second bracket comprising a mouth in an exterior edge of the secondbracket, an outer channel configured to receive the hinge pin duringinstallation and removal of the door, a round socket configured toretain the hinge pin during rotation of the door between the openposition and the closed position, and a transition channel adjoining theouter channel and the round socket, wherein the outer channel defines afirst width and the transition channel defines a second width, whereinthe first width is generally constant over the entire outer channel andthe second width is generally constant over the entire transitionchannel, wherein the outer channel is oblique to the transition channel,wherein the outer channel and the transition channel define a travelpath for the hinge pin between the mouth and the round socket forinstallation or removal of the door, the travel path extending along asingle vertical orientation between the mouth and the round socket. 12.The dishwashing appliance of claim 11, wherein the first width isgenerally equal to the second width.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The dishwashingappliance of claim 11, wherein the outer channel defines an angle ofbetween about ten degrees and about forty degrees with the transitionchannel.
 15. The dishwashing appliance of claim 11, wherein an openingof about ten degrees is defined in an upper portion of the round socket.16. The dishwashing appliance of claim 11, further comprising aretaining point defined at a boundary of the round socket and thetransition channel.
 17. The dishwashing appliance of claim 16, whereinthe retaining point is defined by a rounded corner at the boundary ofthe round socket and the transition channel.
 18. The dishwashingappliance of claim 16, wherein the second bracket comprises a front end,and the retaining point is defined at a front edge of the boundary ofthe round socket and the transition channel.
 19. The dishwashingappliance of claim 16, wherein the transition channel is bounded by theretaining point and a vertical edge.
 20. The dishwashing appliance ofclaim 11, wherein the round socket defines a circular arc of greaterthan one hundred eighty degrees.